Kay's SCC

Kay had her SCC taken out in a simple operation that lasted only a few minutes. Here are the before and after photos !

Take home message : COVER UP ! See the dermatologist early.

New Year's Eve

A warm Sydney day at Circular Quay, with the crowd gathering for the night's fireworks.

Everyone in good spirits !

An obligatory photo of the SOH from the Harbour Bridge.

Early evening on the north side.

The Opera House and city skyline.

Fireworks starts !

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009 !

New Chatswood Station

I have not been near Chatswood station for a while. I was there today and was surprised by the dramatic changes that had taken place. Where the old station was, a new one in glass and steel is now in place, ready for the February launch of the Epping-Chatswood line.

Kay's Birthday

For her birthday Kay chose her old favourite restaurant at Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, one which we have been many times before, on Mothers' Day and birthdays (hers of course !)

Mrs Mac at 100 !

We flew to Brisbane to attend Mrs Mcarthur's 100th birthday celebrations.

Robyn read out messages from many people, including the Queen, the Governor-General, the Governor of Queensland and the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

and there were many well wishers at the party of course.



Below, Mrs Mac with daughters Robyn and Patricia, and of course the birthday cake.

and there were many flowers too.

Dad is 89!

Pity we were not there. But we sent an electronic birthday card with the birthday song !

(http://www.4shared.com/file/72478777/f4cf394d/BIRTHDAY.html)

Italy

A shot of Ponte Vecchio in Florence that I just discovered in my mobile phone memory card taken during our recent trip to Italy. Kay attended a PD (professional development) tour of Italy organised by the Australian Psychological Society and I tagged along for the sceneries.

A Powerpoint slideshow (13MB) available for downloading from

http://www.4shared.com/file/70476943/a551e587/ITALY_comp.html?dirPwdVerified=9062ef46

I have started using the 4shared.com rather than Google because of the larger space available there. I will gradually transfer my other slideshows across for consistency.

Barcaldine

We took the Spirit of Outback back from Longreach to Rockhampton. The train stopped for half an hour at Barcaldine.

Barcaldine is a quiet town but has significant historic importance as being the birth place of the Australian labour movement and the Labor Party.

A plaque reads :

" This monument . . . is in recognition of the stalwart men and women of the west, who, through their courage, determination and dedication to the principles, objectiives and ideals of the Union Movement, played a leading role in the formation of Australia's Labour and Political Movement which emerged from beneath this Tree of Knowledge in 1891, and spearheaded the many reforms which were to result in a vastly improved way of life for Australians generally."

The Tree of Knowledge is no longer there, someone poisoned it a few years ago. The lady in the tourist shop at the railway station said "It wasn't us Liberals!" In its place a permanent memorial will be built.

Captain Starlight Lookout

It required a 3-hour 90km return journey over unsealed road to get to the Captain Starlight Lookout. Was it worth the effort ? Yes. "Captain Starlight" was a cattle thief who some years ago took refuge at the outcrop of rocks in the middle of the flat western plain.

It was a steep climb up among rocks . . .
. . . but Kay was determined . .
and the view was rewarding.

Winton

Winton is some 170 km northwest of Longreach. Banjo Paterson wrote the lyrics to the song Waltzing Matilda there. Now there is a centre on the history of the song (and everything else).

Winton is a small town with pubs, museums and gift shops.
It is a sleepy town.
but surprisingly touristy.